Government has made significant changes in the proposal to debar criminals from contesting elections and other issues, says Chief Election Commissioner S Y Quraishi.
Expressing 'disappointment' over the delay in bringing important legislations on electoral reforms and not passing them in the winter session, he hopes Parliament will make a beginning at least in the Budget session.
"We are disappointed that this (electoral reforms) did not happen in the winter session while 30-40 bills came and our bill did not not come.
"The only benefit of doubt that needs to be given is that the government was kept busy with the Lokpal round the clock. I hope at least in the budget session the government keeps its promise and brings up this bill," Quraishi told PTI in an interview.
He said Law Minister Salman Khurshid came to the Commission a third time and gave an assurance that the government will bring major reforms in the winter session that included proposals to debar criminals and transparency of political funding.
"And he asked us whether we are ok if other issues can be taken up later. We said yes that these issues are the most important and crucial. We will be happy if these are brought up. He has some modifications to our proposals and we are ok with those also," he said